Dallas, TX — November 20, 2024, one person was injured in a car accident at about 9:05 p.m. on Interstate 345.

A preliminary accident report indicates a 2004 Honda Accord crashed into a 2019 Mazda 6 that had been involved in an earlier accident.

The driver of the Honda, a 23-year-old San Antonio man, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to the report.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Dallas County crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I see reports of a crash like this, my first thought is that the injured driver and his loved ones deserve clear answers about what happened. A secondary collision — where a vehicle crashes into another that was already disabled — raises serious questions, and in my experience, these incidents often involve more than just driver reaction time. Before any conclusions can be reached, three critical areas need further investigation.

First, did authorities conduct a thorough investigation? When a vehicle is left disabled on a highway, it’s important to determine whether it was properly visible to approaching traffic. Did investigators check whether the Mazda 6 had its hazard lights activated? Were road lighting conditions adequate? Additionally, was the disabled vehicle left in an active traffic lane, or had it been moved to the shoulder? Investigating these factors is key to understanding whether the Honda driver had enough time to react.

Second, has anyone looked into whether a vehicle defect contributed to the crash? The Honda Accord involved in this accident is a 20-year-old vehicle, meaning mechanical failures such as brake issues, steering malfunctions or poor headlight performance could have played a role. Did the brakes function properly, or was there a delay in the driver’s ability to stop? If the vehicle’s headlights weren’t illuminating the road effectively, visibility could have been compromised. A forensic inspection of the Honda is necessary to rule out any mechanical or safety failures.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? While a 2004 Honda Accord may not have the most advanced digital crash data recording systems, it likely has an engine control module (ECM) that stores key information such as speed, braking and steering inputs before impact. Retrieving this data could help determine whether the driver attempted to stop or if the vehicle failed to respond as expected. Additionally, authorities should check for any nearby traffic or surveillance cameras that may have captured the crash. Phone records should also be reviewed to determine whether distraction played a role.

At the end of the day, a man suffered serious injuries in this crash, and he deserves to know exactly what happened. A full and thorough investigation is the only way to ensure that no key details are overlooked. If any of these three questions remain unanswered, the victim and his family simply don’t have the full story.